Archive 2019 160 articles
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Digitalization
How Are Blockchain and Algorithms Affecting the World of Finance?
Digitalization is bringing widespread and fundamental changes to the finance sector. Three doctoral candidates at UZH have organized an international workshop to explore where these changes might lead. More …
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Standing Out: Alex Rübel, Director of the Zurich Zoo
Protecting What You Love
Alex Rübel works with animals from all over the world, but has stayed loyal to his roots: Born and raised in Zurich, he studied veterinary medicine at UZH and has served as the Director of the Zurich Zoo for 28 successful years. Watch our video to find out what his plans are when he retires in 2020. More …
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Astrophysics
Capturing Alien Comets
There should be interstellar comets hiding in our Solar system after making a journey of many lightyears. Maybe we have already seen one but believed it was a “normal” comet formed in the solar system, says Tom Hands, astrophysicist at the University of Zurich and member of the NCCR PlanetS. More …
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Saving the World
The Hydrogen Society
Hydrogen is a clean source of electricity, fuel and fertilizer. The problem is that hydrogen still isn’t produced very sustainably. This could change – thanks to artificial photosynthesis. More …
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New National Center of Competence in Research at UZH
The Power of Language
A new National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) will be based at the University of Zurich. Entitled “Evolving Language”, it will investigate the origins and future of language. UZH linguist Balthasar Bickel will serve as co-director of the research network alongside Anne-Lise Giraud from the University of Geneva. The national network includes numerous other universities and research institutes within Switzerland. More …
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New UZH Magazin
Saving the World
Energy from hydrogen, free train travel, green investments, repairing not replacing, no more plastic, modified seeds and biodiversity. The focus of the new UZH Magazin is on saving the world – we present seven ideas from UZH researchers for a bright and sustainable future. More …
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Open Access Strategy
Negotiations with Publishers Partially Successful
Aimed at promoting open access, the negotiations between swissuniversities and major publishing houses Elsevier, Wiley and Springer Nature have come to a largely successful conclusion. However, no agreement could be reached with Springer Nature. There are alternative ways of access, which we will present below. More …
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Protein Research
Trendsetter for New Top Technology
Biophysicist Ben Schuler will serve as a fellow at the Biophysical Society starting early next year. The US-based organization has recognized Schuler’s innovative contributions to protein research, marking the first time a researcher at the University of Zurich has received this honor. More …
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Robotics
UZH Drone Wins Silver
Robotics professor Davide Scaramuzza and his research group finished in second place at the AlphaPilot international drone race. Among the nine finalists, the first three places were all won by university teams. More …
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Versatile and Successful
After several years at the helm of large organizations, Ingrid Deltenre has returned to her alma mater – part-time, at least. She is President of the Executive Committee of the EMBA at UZH. More …
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Change in Master’s System at Law School
2021 Program Reform at the Faculty of Law
Law degrees at UZH are set to be overhauled and become more practical. The changes, which mainly affect the Master’s program, will come into effect in the Fall Semester of 2021. More …
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Alumna Portrait
“I’m a complete all-rounder”
This Friday, the Institute of Romance Studies celebrates its 125th anniversary. The guests of honor will include alumna Barbara Schmid-Federer. The former National Councilor for Zurich, now the new president of young people’s charity Pro Juventute, will talk about the value of studying Romance languages and literature. More …
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New Journal Edition
Superstar of Scholarship
In the current edition of the UZH Journal, we ask researchers about the significance of Alexander von Humboldt for modern research. The two UZH Open Science delegates also present their vision of a change in research culture. More …
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Onboarding Day
Offering Support, Advice and Leadership
Holding a professorship involves much more than research and teaching. At this year’s Onboarding Day, the Executive Board of the University provided newly appointed professors with additional details about their roles, responsibilities and UZH’s organizational culture. More …
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Wealth and Morality
Fast Money
They personify the dream of wealth and are sometimes morally questionable: Bankers fascinate authors and filmmakers alike. English literature scholar Barbara Straumann researches how the world of finance is depicted in literature and film. More …
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Education Evaluation
Learning for Life
Does our academic performance have an effect on our personal development? A new study by UZH education evaluation specialists has investigated this interesting question. More …
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New Strategic Principles
Principles to Which UZH Is Committed
The more diverse a university, the more important it becomes to agree on common principles. UZH has developed a set of Strategic Principles that define 10 core concerns for its future development. More …
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Literary Studies
Unruly Insects
In his research on insects in literature, German literature scholar Davide Giuriato has been closely examining the fly – an insect whose extraordinary literary career has seen it progress from villain to idol. More …
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University Library Zurich (UBZH)
Project At Starting Gates
The Board of the University has approved the “University Library Development” project. Preparations to bring together the UZH libraries can now begin. More …
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Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
A Roller Coaster Ride
With hormonal swings and changes in our social situation, life after forty presents distinct challenges. Psychologists Hannah Süss and Jasmine Willi examine the best ways of managing this phase of our life. More …
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Showing off wealth
Bearskin and Bling
From the early medieval Lombards to Bill Gates: People showcasing their wealth and power is nothing new. Medieval art historian Carola Jäggi discusses wealthy benefactors, swanky watches and super-rich Russians. More …
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Jane Goodall at UZH
Advocating for Animal Welfare
Jane Goodall visited UZH and looked back on her eventful life with wild chimpanzees. The famous 85-year-old primatologist remains an energetic campaigner for animal welfare and environmental protection, and considers young people to be the biggest hope for the future. More …
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Medicine
The Vital Necessity of Gender Medicine
Men and women not only get sick in different ways, they also react differently to pharmaceutical drugs. UZH visiting professor Vera Regitz-Zagrosek gave a presentation on research into these differences in the field of gender medicine. More …
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Neuropsychology
Bad Boys, Bad Girls
Severe emotional disturbances have until now mainly been associated with violent young men. But girls can also display anti-social behavior. Studies show that changes in the brain can play a role. More …
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University Medicine Zurich
New Immunotherapies to Combat Cancer
The University Medicine Zurich initiative presented its new flagship project Immuno-TargET at its annual event this week. The project combines the latest technologies in developing immune therapies for specific types of endocrine cancer. More …
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68th UNI–POLY Rowing Regatta
Women’s and Professors’ Boats Victorious
At the 68th edition of the UNI-POLY rowing regatta last Saturday, the boats of the University of Zurich women and professors were victorious, while the men and alumni of ETH Zurich won their races. The duel between the two Zurich universities thus ended in a 2:2 tie. More …
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Infrastructure
Irchel Campus Provides Temporary Home to High Schools
UZH is making its chemistry building on Irchel Campus available to three Zurich upper secondary schools from 2023 to 2032. In return, the University will be able to start constructing much-needed new buildings sooner than planned. More …
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Employee Survey
Listening Closely
This summer, UZH carried out its first-ever university-wide employee survey. The results of the survey show that the university offers a good working environment. However, there are some areas where UZH can still improve. Deputy President Gabriele Siegert and Stefan Schnyder, Director of Finances and Human Resources, give their opinion on the results in the following interview. More …
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Plant Biology
Fading Petunias
Through heat, saline soil or aridity, the environment can directly influence the activity of genes. As the biologist Ueli Grossniklaus has demonstrated, in plants these epigenetic changes can sometimes be inherited. More …
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Portrait: Artur Avila
Beyond Facts
He got booted from school in his home country of Brazil. Today Artur Avila is an award-winning mathematician teaching at UZH. The research he's conducting picks up roughly where Isaac Newton long ago left off. More …
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Romance Languages
A Kaleidoscope of Romance Languages
Anyone embarking recently on a study of Romance languages at UZH has been immersed in seven linguistic traditions at once – all thanks to a blended learning approach integrating videos in different Romance languages. The innovative teaching and learning approach is a lighthouse project. More …
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University History
Deep-Rooted Resentment
In her doctoral thesis, Silvia Bolliger examined the University of Zurich's stance towards foreign students during the interwar period (1919-1939). The historian and former UZH archivist’s work shines a light on “discreet anti-Semitism”. More …
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Video Series “Standing Out”: Martin Meuli, Pediatric and Fetal Surgeon
Operate or Opera?
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The New Silk Road
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Project for the Middle Kingdom
The much-discussed new Silk Road is the topic of the current lecture series of the Geographic Ethnographic Society of Zurich (GEGZ). Sociologist Patrick Ziltener, one of the speakers, sees much potential here for collaboration with Switzerland. More …
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The Abundance of Nature
Fertile Ground
We have to make use of the abundance of nature, says Bernhard Schmid. The environmental scientist is calling for more biodiversity in agriculture, as crop mixtures produce better yields and are more sustainable than monoculture farming practices. More …
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Rethinking Wealth
“Greed is dangerous”
More isn’t always better, says Marc Chesney. The economics professor criticizes the pursuit of economic growth and calls for banks to stop investing in fossil fuels. More …
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ZAZH – Zurich Center for the Study of the Ancient World
The Presence of the Ancients
The first open evening of the new Zurich Center for the Study of the Ancient World proved extremely popular. Visitors gained insight into diverse research projects, and learned about the relevance of antiquity for current issues. More …
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Reproductive Medicine
Fertility on Ice
Specialists at the University of Zurich are thoroughly investigating the topic of social egg freezing — whereby egg cells are frozen as a precautionary measure with a view to a pregnancy at a later date. Increasing numbers of women in Switzerland are also interested in the idea. Legal expert Andrea Büchler and physician Bruno Imthurn discuss reasons and benefits, but also the possible constraints of the new method. Their concern is that women should make well-informed decisions. More …
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Zurich meets Seoul Festival
Seoul Calling
Are there useful applications for blockchain? What are “Smart Cities”? Researchers from Switzerland and South Korea got together at the “Zurich meets Seoul” festival last week to discuss such questions, foster connections, and present their work to the public. More …
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Mummy Research
Analyzing Entrails
Frank Rühli is an evolutionary medicine expert who is conducting pioneering research on mummified entrails. He recently became the first person to study the Egyptian Museum’s collection of canopic jars from an interdisciplinary perspective. More …
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Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine
UZH Honorary Doctor Receives Nobel Prize
In 2017, the University of Zurich bestowed an honorary doctorate on Sir Peter John Ratcliffe – today Ratcliffe, together with William G. Kaelin and Gregg L. Semenza, has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his research into oxygen supply in cells. More …
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Bible Research
Imperial God
In the midst of their flight through the desert, the people of Israel received God’s commandments at Mount Sinai. That’s what it says in the Bible. No less dramatic is the historical background of this story. Biblical scholar Konrad Schmid is tracking it down. More …
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In the Spotlight
A Passion for all Things Visual
Scientific illustrator Jeanne Peter has been working at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital for 31 years. Her work there has never got dull. More …
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New UZH Magazin
Being Rich
How do you become rich? How do people show off their wealth? And how should it be distributed? In the new UZH Magazin, UZH scholars explore what it means to be rich and how we handle wealth. More …
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Artifical Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Improves Biomedical Imaging
Scientists at UZH and ETH Zurich are using artificial intelligence to improve the quality of images recorded through a relatively new biomedical imaging method. Their work paves the way for more accurate diagnoses and cost-effective devices. More …
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Trainee Program
Local Experts for Global Reports
Climate change and its consequences pose even greater challenges to developing countries than industrialized countries. But these countries are severely underrepresented in bodies assessing the relevant science. A training program for early career researchers at the Department of Geography takes counteraction. More …
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Diversity
“Diversity is good for UZH”
The University of Zurich is committed to promoting diversity and preventing discrimination through active and systematic measures. UZH’s Diversity Policy entered into force one year ago. Christiane Löwe and Jennifer J* Moos from the Office for Gender Equality and Diversity explain the ideas underlying the policy and how it is being implemented. More …
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PRIMA Grantees
Springboard to Success
The Swiss National Science Foundation’s PRIMA grants support outstanding female researchers on their way to obtaining professorships. Three recipients of the grant have chosen UZH as the host institution for their research projects. More …
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John Bercow at UZH
“Only a genius or a reckless fool can predict how the Brexit saga will end”
In a lecture at the University of Zurich, John Bercow, the British Speaker of the House of Commons, spelled out the possible Brexit scenarios and suggested it might be time to break with years of tradition by creating a written constitution. More …
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University Act
Reorganization of Representative Bodies at UZH
The Cantonal Parliament of Zurich has authorized the partial revision of the University Act, which includes among other things a reorganization of the “Stände” – the bodies represented in the Extended Executive Board of the University. Once the act enters into force, all students and employees of UZH will be informed in a personal e-mail about which representative body they belong to. More …
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Open Access
Information Campaign on Open Access
Open access is gathering pace. The Swiss National Science Foundation’s strategic objective is for all the research findings it funds to be freely accessible from 2020 onward. The University of Zurich is stepping up the advice and training it offers on open access. More …
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Alumni
Crossing Borders
Michael Hermann, entrepreneur and political analyst, is bringing new ideas to the field of political science. As someone who enjoys crossing borders, the UZH alumnus has since been going back and forth between his public role as a political analyst and his tasks as an entrepreneur. More …
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Open Science
New Zurich-Made Microscope Proves Popular
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New UZH Journal
How to Excel at Teaching
The latest edition of the UZH Journal focuses on outstanding teaching staff and forward-looking teaching formats. We also present the measures UZH is taking to promote open access publishing. More …
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30 Years Film Studies
Camera Rolling... and Action!
It took a while for film studies to be offered at UZH. When it finally happened in 1989, the subject took off and has been going from success to success ever since. More …
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Spin-off
Era-107: A Pill to Gently Tame Your Appetite
Many anti-obesity drugs are not very effective or have unwanted side effects. One UZH spin-off wants to change this: EraCal Therapeutics is developing a potent and highly selective appetite suppressant. Animal models have shown that the therapy is twice as effective at reducing weight than current drugs on the market. More …
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President
Michael Hengartner Appointed as President of the ETH Board
Michael Hengartner will step down as President of the University of Zurich next year. The Swiss Federal Council today appointed him as President of the ETH Board. More …
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Communication and Media Research
Online Pinocchios
The internet and social media have become a battleground for the war between facts and fake news. How do we separate fact from fiction? And to what extent should operators of social media platforms and search engines be held responsible? More …
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Video Series “Standing Out” Dominique Rinderknecht
“The main thing is that you enjoy what you study”
UZH alumna Dominique Rinderknecht moved into the spotlight as Miss Switzerland. Today she works as a brand ambassador and presenter, and her studies in media science proved a valuable resource for her current roles. In our video, she looks back on her time at UZH and shares her dreams for the future. More …
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Teaching Fund
Telling Stories through Maps
In the colloquium “Storytelling with Maps”, students learn to take a critical approach in dealing with the sources of maps. The innovative course is one of the projects supported by the Teaching Fund of UZH. More …
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North-South Cooperation
Measuring in Ultra-High Precision
Tuberculosis is the world's most common fatal infectious disease, in particular among people with HIV. Tuberculosis therapy plays an important role in the fight against AIDS. Optimizing this treatment is one of the aims of the research partnership between the University of Zurich and the Infectious Diseases Institute in Uganda – with a highly developed analytical machine playing a key role. More …
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Scientifica 2019
Is It Possible to Clone a Voice?
Come and find out at the Scientifica festival from 30 August to 1 September. Get a sneak preview with our teaser video. More …
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Scientifica 2019
Will the Aletsch Glacier Turn into a Lake?
Come and find out at the Scientifica festival from 30 August to 1 September. Get a sneak preview with our teaser video. More …
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Psychiatry
Fleeing Like Antelope
What goes on in our brains and bodies when we feel under threat? Psychiatrist Dominik Bach researches how we react to fear and how disturbing memories can be made less painful. More …
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Artificial Intelligence
Cuddling a Robot Seal
Humans and machines have a long history of co-existence, but artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to disrupt this delicate balance. Will machines become more intelligent than we are? Will they ultimately take over and enslave us? More …
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Teaching Fund
Status Update from Kriemhild
The Teaching Fund project “Siegfried goes YouTube – Alte Mären in neuen Medien” aims to utilize modern media such as video and podcasts in literary analyses. In the first of its four semesters, the project focused on the Nibelungenlied. More …
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Internationalization
Increased Presence on the International Stage
The University of Zurich has much to offer – as a partner for international cooperation projects and as a destination for high-potential talent and top researchers from around the world. But the UZH brand is currently too little known in international academic circles. UZH has therefore decided to take concrete measures to boost its networks and get more exposure for its success. More … 1 Comment
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Scientifica 2019
Is Klingon a Real Language?
Come and find out at the Scientifica festival from 30 August to 1 September. Get a sneak preview with our teaser video. More …
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Astrophysics
Giant Impact Disrupted Jupiter’s Core
New interior models of Jupiter based on data gathered by NASA’s Juno mission suggested that the giant gas planet might not have a small compact core but rather a diluted, “fuzzy” one. Now, an international team with researchers of the University of Zürich and the NCCR PlanetS has found an explanation for this surprising Juno result. More …
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Teaching Fund
A Deeper Understanding of Switzerland
The new course “Switzerland for Incomings” is aimed exclusively at exchange students. It uses innovative teaching methods to help students gain an anthropological understanding of Swiss society and culture. More …
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Scientifica 2019
Is Virtual Reality Used in Criminal Proceedings?
Find out in the video below and whet your appetite for the Scientifica festival. In the run-up to the festival, Kosmos cinema and UZH will also be showing a series of classic sci-fi films, with comments from scientists and researchers. We are raffling off tickets for each screening. More …
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Structural Biology
“On the brink of a revolution”
Structural biology has long played an essential role in drug development. Thanks to enormous progress in recent years, the field is now on the brink of a revolution. A symposium is bringing the stars of the scene together in Zurich. More …
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Permafrost
Monitoring the Matterhorn with Millions of Data Points
A unique project is linking in-situ measurements with natural hazards research. For the past ten years, a network of wireless sensors on the Matterhorn’s Hörnli ridge has been constantly streaming measurement data on the condition of steep rock faces, permafrost and prevailing climate. More …
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Scientifica 2019
Will Robots Replace Doctors?
Come and find out at the Scientifica festival from 30 August to 1 September. Get a sneak preview with our teaser video. More …
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UZH Summer Quiz
Take the Plunge
Are you still looking for a good read for your summer holiday? Take our summer quiz and find out about remarkable, surprising and fun facts from the University of Zurich. The UZH News team is off into the summer break. We hope you enjoy your summer! More …
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History of Art
How Heidi Was Reinvented in Japan
An untouched mountain paradise, fresh air, the freedom of life on the alp. The Heidi anime series from 1974 shaped the Japanese image of Switzerland for decades. And the Japanese Heidi also claimed a space in children’s hearts across Europe. Now, Heidi in Japan is the subject of a symposium at UZH and an exhibition at the Swiss National Museum. Masterminding the two events is art historian Hans Bjarne Thomsen. More …
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Criminology
Telltale Bacteria
DNA tracing has become an indispensable tool when it comes to solving crimes. And now microbes are expanding the possibilities. A research group at UZH has conducted a study in which they examined bacteria in tissue samples for use in forensics. More …
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Geography
At a Glacial Pace
Even though glaciers react relatively slowly to rising temperatures, Switzerland will have to adjust to a future without these magnificent ice masses. We will manage – but the challenges facing Asian countries are far greater. More …
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Churchill Lecture
Getting a Stumbling Europe Back on its Feet
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović gave a Special Churchill Lecture at the University of Zurich on Tuesday. She talked about the challenges facing a Europe characterized by differences and made the case for an expansion of the EU. More …
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UZH International Summer Schools
Learning and Socializing
This summer for the second time, international summer schools for Bachelor’s and Master’s students from around the world are being held at UZH. 59 students from abroad have joined 23 UZH students to explore how Switzerland became one of the richest countries in the world, why it developed into an international financial hub, and what skills it takes to successfully interact with members of different cultures. More …
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Media change
“Selling our data soul”
Algorithms accompany our every click on the internet. Facebook and Google use them to analyze our online behavior. Communications expert Michael Latzer researches what algorithms do and how they shape our view of the world. More …
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Workplace
Independent Advice in Difficult Situations
From August this year, the newly established Counseling and Mediation Service will open its doors to employees of the University of Zurich. UZH staff will have easy access to free advice if they are experiencing difficulties in the workplace. More …
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Video Series “Standing Out”
Sustainable Success
Daniel Muntwyler has been interested in sustainable investments ever since his days as a business administration student at UZH. Watch the video to find out what sparked his interest. More …
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Artificial Photosynthesis
Splitting Water
UZH chemist Sandra Luber has set her sights on achieving artificial photosynthesis. A successful outcome could enable major climate issues to be solved in one fell swoop. However, there are still many hurdles to overcome. More …
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Climate Change and Banking
Can Banking Regulation Address Climate Change?
Policymakers are tasked with keeping a close eye on systemic risks to financial stability. But banking’s regulators seem to have a blind spot when it comes to climate change and the financial risks it poses. More …
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Conference on eHealth
“If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen”
Digital change is also having an impact on spiritual care in hospitals, as electronic patient records and eHealth are in common use in many clinics. At a conference about eHealth and spiritual care, the topic on the agenda was the uneasy relationship between digitalization and spiritual care. More …
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Syphilis
The Columbus Bacterium
Syphilis sailed back to Europe with the voyagers who discovered America – and stayed. With the use of penicillin, "Cupid's disease" started to die out and gradually fell into oblivion. But not for long. Having reappeared at the turn of the millennium, cases have been recorded in Switzerland too. More …
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Botanical Garden
Please Touch!
The edible and medicinal plants section at the University’s Botanical Garden has had a complete overhaul. A feast for the senses awaits, with plants to smell, touch and taste, and children are especially welcome. More …
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New UZH Magazin
Us and the Machines
We have a long history of living side by side with machines. But with technology getting smarter and smarter, what does this mean for our future? This is the question we explore in the new UZH Magazin. More …
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Robotics
Drone Olympiad Ready for Takeoff
Robotics professor Davide Scaramuzza has qualified to compete in an international drone racing series that will pit autonomous quadcopters against drone pilots. A million dollars await the winner. More …
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Accessibility
Surfing the Web without Obstacles
The design of websites often ignores the needs of people with impairments. The Disability Office wants to change this, and is working to promote accessible websites. More …
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Banking and Finance
Culture Influences Financing Decisions
The cultural identity of managers can influence the way an organization finances itself. An economist at UZH has shown that companies led by Italian-speaking people take up credit more often than those managed by German-speakers. More …
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Gender Equality Monitoring
Facts and Figures on Gender Equality
Just published, the UZH Gender Equality Monitoring Report indicates that the share of women at professorship level at UZH increased slightly in 2018. The good news is that things are progressing: in the last ten years the number of female full professors has doubled. More …
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Swiss Congress of Historical Sciences
“Rich people are mostly born rich”
The fifth Swiss Congress of Historical Sciences will take place at UZH from 5 to 7 June. The theme of the congress is wealth. In this interview, medieval historian Simon Teuscher discusses the meaning of wealth and how ideas about it have changed. More …
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Video Series “Standing Out” Doris Leuthard
“It should never get boring”
UZH alumna and former federal councilor Doris Leuthard continues to lead a busy life even after her time in office. As part of our alumni video series, she looks back at her time as a law student and gives us a glimpse into her personal life. More …
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Recycling
Floating Power Plants
Huge floating solar islands on the ocean that produce enough energy to enable CO2-neutral global freight traffic - it sounds like science fiction, but researchers have now figured out how it might be possible. More …
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Public Health
Small or Tall
Height – and the influence it has on our health – is the topic of an international symposium currently taking place at UZH. For example, research shows that tall women in Switzerland are more likely to develop cancer than shorter women. More …
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Neuropsychology
The Key to Brain Fitness
Maintaining mental fitness as we age is a goal we all aspire to. But how can we achieve this? In a recent talk, neuropsychologist Martin Meyer explains why social interaction and physical activity do more to improve your mental performance than brain training exercises. More …
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Library Modernization
"An important factor for the success of our university"
The Executive Board of the University has approved the “University Library Development” project. The aim is to modernize UZH’s library provision and implement the latest technologies. In an interview, Vice President Christian Schwarzenegger explains the decision. More …
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Astrophysics
Stolen comets and free-floating objects
Our Solar System may contain alien comets that were stolen from another star flying past 4.5 billion years ago. Far away in a distant cluster of young stars, a similar close encounter might have also sent the inter-stellar visitor “Oumuamua” flying on its way towards us, and there must be many more of these free-floating objects in the Galaxy. These are results of a new study by astrophysicists at the University of Zurich. More …
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Ecology
Opening Our Eyes to Nature
With a range of grasslands, wetlands and woods, Irchel Park is rich in ecosystems and is habitat to a host of plants and animals. A new trail has been designed to give visitors to Irchel Campus the chance to discover the park’s natural environment. Marking International Day for Biological Diversity, the Irchel Nature Trail officially opens today. More …
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New UZH Journal
Fear and Courage at Exam Time
The current issue of the UZH Journal focuses on exam stress and what can be done about it. Also in the spotlight are the new guidelines for supervision of doctoral candidates. More …
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International Congress for 200th Anniversary of Gottfried Keller’s Birth
A Wonderful Legacy
Gottfried Keller is the most famous Zurich writer of the 19th century. He had close links with UZH and bequeathed the university his complete estate and archive, laying the foundations for modern-day Keller research. A major international congress is now being held on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Keller’s birth. From 23 to 25 May, congress attendees and speakers will examine Keller’s literary heritage. More …
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Quality development
“UZH is a learning organization”
The University of Zurich is strengthening and combining its quality assurance tools. More …
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Moral Standards
“Many people feel anxious and disconcerted”
With her commitment to the environment, 16-year-old Swede Greta Thunberg has provoked a debate on values among young people all over the world. How do values arise, and how do they change? An interview with social ethics expert Monika Wilhelm and economist Martin Kindschi. More …
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Astronomy
“A village on the moon”
Fifty years ago, on 21 July 1969, humans stood on the moon for the first time. To celebrate the anniversary of the moon landing, UZH astrophysicist Ben Moore has written a biography of the moon. In this interview he tells us about the new space race, and explains how the Earth’s satellite came into being. More …
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Infectious Visitors
Chlamydiae are bacteria that can be transmitted from pigs, goats and sheep to humans and can cause infections. We talked to veterinarian Nicole Borel whose work follows these highly adaptable and sometimes mystifying pathogens. More …
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Violence Prevention
“Prevention works, but only in the long-term”
Every third teenager is subject to violence from peers. How can we identify risk factors at an early stage and intervene in time? A UZH study investigated these questions, evaluating data from the Zurich long-term study “z-proso”. More …
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2018 Annual Report
Shaping the Digital Future
The University’s Annual Report for 2018 has just been published. In addition to the current statistics on student and staff numbers and the latest financial figures, highlights from research, teaching and campus life are presented. One of the topics explored in more depth is digitalization and how UZH is stepping up to the challenges of digital change. More …
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Publications
Open Access – at Breakneck Speed?
Free access to all academic publications is the goal of the open access movement. But how quickly should academic publishing be transformed? UZH put this question up for debate at a well-attended panel discussion on Tuesday evening. More …
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Stalking
“You belong to me”
Is better legal protection against stalking needed in Switzerland? UZH doctoral candidate Aurelia Gurt is researching this politically hot topic. More …
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Digitalization
Appeal for Human Rights
Developments in artificial intelligence are continuing apace, dramatically impacting our lives in the process. In his guest lecture at UZH, UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston explains how human rights offer an important normative framework for regulating artificial intelligence. More …
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Innovation Ranking
University of Zurich Back in the Top Ten
The University of Zurich is innovative – it’s official! UZH has achieved ninth place in “Europe’s Most Innovative Universities” ranking. More …
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Sociology
Fear of the Foreign
Children are mostly open and tolerant towards foreigners but, in contrast to adults, their attitudes are easier to change. Much depends on their friends. More …
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Gene Therapy
Last Chance
Immunologist Janine Reichenbach is doing research into serious congenital immune deficiencies. And she is developing gene therapies – for some patients the last hope of a cure. More …
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Teaching Award 2019
Translating between Humans and Machines
Chatchavan Wacharamanotham, Professor of Interaction Design, is a highly motivated teacher with an innovative, interactive approach to sharing his subject matter with students. It’s earned him this year’s Credit Suisse Award for Best Teaching. More …
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Psychology
A Steeled Mind
Many former Verdingkinder suffered a traumatic childhood, but some have managed to cope with the potentially damaging experience. Psychologist Myriam Thoma wanted to know how. More …
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Video Series “Standing Out”
The Criminal Investigator
Do you need to be especially tough to be the criminal investigation police chief? In this video interview, UZH alumna Christiane Lentjes-Meili tells us how she got into this unusual profession. More …
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Quiz
Easter Brainteaser
UZH News has compiled some quiz questions to get you thinking ahead of the holiday weekend. We wish you all a Happy Easter! More …
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3R principles
Animal Welfare
Paulin Jirkof has been working for around a year as 3R Coordinator for UZH. Her job is to help reduce the number of animal experiments conducted at UZH and to improve the welfare of the animals involved. More …
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Criminal Law
Shady Dealings in Protected Species
The illegal trade in animals and plants is a highly profitable and low-risk business. Due to inconsistent application and lax enforcement of laws in many countries, criminals get an easy ride. Students at UZH are looking for solutions to the problem. More …
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Mercator Awards
Award-winning junior researchers
Three junior researchers will receive this year's Mercator Award for their outstanding projects: religious scholar Barbara Zeugin, cell biologist Federico Teloni and attorney Alessia Dedual. In addition, theoretical physicist Frank Schindler will receive a special award from the jury. More …
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New Center of Competence
The Enigma of Language
How do animals communicate? How do humans acquire language? When humanities scholars and natural scientists join forces, groundbreaking answers to those questions become possible. The new Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution at UZH aims to deliver them. More …
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Georg Friedrich Götz Award
Research Excellence
Today, dermatologist Simone M. Goldinger and molecular biologist Tuncay Baubec received the renowned Georg Friedrich Götz Award. This prize is awarded annually at UZH for outstanding contributions in the field of medical research. More …
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Nanotechnology
Water that never freezes
Can water reach minus 263 degrees Celsius without turning into ice? Yes it can, say researchers from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, if it is confined in nanometre-scale lipid channels. More …
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Appointment Procedures
Fair Chances for Women
Who gets the coveted professorships, and why? UZH has developed new guidelines on professorial selection procedures. The new guidelines should also lead to the recruitment of more female professors. More …
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Consultation on the Library of the Future
“The importance of books isn’t in question”
The contributions to the consultation on the future library set-up at UZH can now be viewed online. In this interview with UZH News, Vice President Christian Schwarzenegger and Adrian Scheidegger, the new head of the Library of the Future project, comment on the results, and explain what happens next. More …
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Climate Change
Highlighting the Global Connection
As teacher trainer and scientist at the Department of Geography, Andreas Linsbauer communicates on environmental issues with various target groups. The exhibition he has curated, Expedition 2 Grad (Expedition 2 Degrees), opens at the National Park Centre in Zernez today. More …
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Ethnographic Museum UZH
Exhibition on Wheels: Mobile Dairy Museum Tours Uganda
A museum on wheels has recently started touring Uganda. The mobile museum is visiting remote towns and villages to give an insight into Swiss and Ugandan dairy practices. This traveling exhibition was co-created by the Ethnographic Museum at UZH. Here we take a closer look. More …
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Gravitational waves
At the Limits of Measurability
The international large-scale project LIGO/VIRGO researches gravitational waves and will start its third measuring period in April. UZH postdocs Maria Haney and Shubhanshu Tiwari are involved in the project – a significant honor for them professionally and for UZH. More …
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Botanical Museum
Botanical Works of Art
A mysterious set of dazzlingly beautiful glass diapositives was recently discovered in the university’s Botanical Museum. In her new book, archaeobotanist Christiane Jacquat presents these botanical pictures for the first time and describes the search for their creator. More …
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UZH Magazin
A Good Laugh
Have you laughed yet today? We hope so, because research at UZH has shown that humor enriches our lives. Luckily, laughter features strongly in the new UZH Magazin, with our in-depth exploration of what humor is and why it is necessary. More …
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Linguistics
How Big Data Is Transforming Linguistics
The University of Zurich is investing in research into human languages. In the next few years a great deal of equipment will be bought and labs built as part of the LiRI project. With the help of IT specialists, it will be possible to process and analyze large volumes of data. More …
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Developmental Pediatrics
Giving Children with Heart Defects a Chance
Children with heart conditions show signs of developmental delays, which become especially noticeable in school. Developmental pediatrician Bea Latal is seeking to help these children in adolescence by means of a dedicated developmental support program. More …
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World Kidney Day
Why Kidneys Form Stones
Our kidneys filter all the blood in our body 36 times a day. How on earth do the kidneys manage this herculean task? That is the question being researched by the National Center of Competence in Research Kidney.CH, for which UZH is the home institution. On World Kidney Day, we take a brief glimpse behind the scenes of Swiss kidney research. More …
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Sustainability Week
“2019 is the University of Zurich’s year of sustainability”
As part of Zurich Sustainability Week, leaders from the five Zurich higher education institutions got together to discuss the role of universities in sustainable development. Many measures are underway at the University of Zurich, reported Gabriele Siegert, Deputy President of UZH. More …
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Molecular Biology
Accelerating Diagnostics of Multi-Resistant Tuberculosis
UZH molecular biologist Prajwal and a team of researchers have developed a comprehensive rapid diagnostic test for multi-resistant tuberculosis pathogens. He now wants to turn the test into a commercial product with the help of a UZH Entrepreneur Fellowship. More …
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Initiative of the Canton of Zurich
A Boost to Digitalization
A pioneering project: The DIZH digitalization initiative of the Canton of Zurich’s institutions of higher education will strengthen the University of Zurich and its partners. Around three dozen new professorships are to be created at UZH, 20 of them assistant professorships. More …
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Leadership
“I don’t believe in rigid hierarchies”
Do women lead differently? How do they view employee leadership and what is their approach to management? Italian studies expert Tatiana Crivelli Speciale and natural scientist Nicole Joller each have different views on this topic – including on gender quotas. More …
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Scandinavian Studies
From Edda to Pippi Longstocking
On Friday the Universities of Zurich and Basel celebrated their joint professorial chair for Nordic studies. Invited guests included the Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish ambassadors. More …
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Study of the Ancient World
Modern Lessons from the Ancient World
A brilliant lecture by Egyptologist Jan Assmann opened the series of Ringvorlesungen on the theme of Migration in Antiquity. The event also marked the opening of the ZAZH – Zurich Center for the Study of the Ancient World. More …
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Looking for the Best Solutions
François Chapuis is as passionate about creative details as he is about great architecture. He has been Director of Real Estate and Facility Management at UZH since December 2018. More …
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Film Studies
Digital Tools for Analog Colors
Film studies has been remarkably indifferent when it comes to exploring the topic of color. The research project FilmColors wants to change this – and in doing so open up a range of new tools for film studies scholars. More …
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200 Years of Gottfried Keller
“He never lost his spark”
A public lecture series at UZH investigates the many faces of poet, writer, politician and painter Gottfried Keller, who was born 200 years ago. Notable Keller expert Ursula Amrein discusses why his work has remained meaningful to this day and what he had in common with railway pioneer Alfred Escher, who was a contemporary of Keller. More …
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Free Download
“Open access publishing can’t be stopped”
Professor of criminal law Marc Thommen has joined forces with 13 of his colleagues to bring out Switzerland’s first-ever textbook about law published in open access. The freely accessible publication can be downloaded online for free. More …
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Campus
Ready for the Future
In the first issue of the UZH Journal in 2019, we take a look at the study reforms in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. From the Fall Semester 2019 onwards, students can look forward to a revamped study experience. The new structure of the study programs has sharpened the profile of UZH’s Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. More …
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Children's University of Zurich
Children’s Universities on the Nile
There are 34 children’s universities in Egypt. Sybille Leuthold, head of the Children’s University of Zurich, was a guest of honor at their recent meeting in Cairo. Read about her impressions in our interview. More …
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Global History
Glimpses of East Asia
UZH’s chair for global history has introduced a podcast series in cooperation with partners from across Europe. It provides listeners with fascinating insights into the history and historiography of East Asia, from the 16th century to the present. More …
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Autobiographies
Web of Stories
There are many different ways of looking back on your life. One example is writing an autobiography. The website meet-my-life.net guides people wishing to put the story of their lives into words. Earlier this week, the best autobiographies were awarded prizes at an event held in UZH’s main lecture hall. More …
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Spotlight
Embracing the Wilderness
Ecologist Florian Altermatt has presided over the Swiss Biodiversity Forum since the beginning of the year. He’s committed to researching biodiversity and facilitating the cooperation of scientists and policy-makers. More …
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Karin Kneissl at UZH
“The region is very close to us indeed”
Migration has brought the Middle East much closer, said Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl in her lecture at UZH. At the same time, Europe is losing influence in the Middle East while China strengthens its presence in Syria. More …
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My Alma Mater
Across Borders
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Medicine
Live-Cell Therapy for Muscles
Incontinence is unpleasant and limiting for the women who suffer from it. Urologists are working on a new therapy to treat the condition, using the body’s own muscle cells to get the damaged urethral sphincter working again. More …
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History
“More than hunger, suffering and war”
UZH historian Gesine Krüger is one of the editors of the online platform Geschichte der Gegenwart. She has recently published an article about Négritude. We met her to find out why she got involved in the magazine. More …
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Astrophysics
All About Jupiter
Jupiter is the most important planet in our solar system, says Ravit Helled, an astrophysicist who’s investigating how the round giant and other planets were formed. More …
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Political Science
Coming Apart at the Seams
Political scientist Stefanie Walter’s area of research is political current affairs. But she doesn’t just watch from the sidelines, she also gets involved in the debate – especially about the worrying future of Europe. More …
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Ergonomics
"Working flat out"
More lifestyle choices or total exhaustion: There are pros and cons to flexible working hours says ergonomist Georg Bauer. In this interview he talks about the effects of digitalization and how to feel healthy and satisfied at work. More …
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Historic Buildings
History Seen through Farmhouses and Village Churches
A research team from UZH is investigating the historically significant buildings of the rural district of Dielsdorf near Zurich. The results will be published in a volume of the book series "Die Kunstdenkmaler der Schweiz". More …
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Executive Board of the University
Pointing the Way
Gabriele Siegert started her work as Deputy President of UZH last summer, in addition to her position as Vice President. Her goals include streamlining evaluation processes and promoting sustainability and diversity at UZH. More …
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Arabic Studies
Alchemical Bestseller
Didactic poetry combining alchemy and religion: The 12th-century Moroccan manuscript “Splinters of Gold” took the Arabic world by storm. But when Regula Forster was researching its author, she made a surprising discovery. More …